In the UK, O2 is looking to extend indoor 4G and 5G mobile connectivity to businesses, working with Vilicom to tackle indoor blackspots.
O2 announced it has successfully piloted the integration and operation of Vilicom’s Open RAN (O-RAN) infrastructure, improving indoor mobile connectivity for its business customers over Vilicom’s Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) network platform.
O2 is said to be the first mobile network operator to work with Vilicom to trial this technology and plans to connect the pilot rollout to its live network next year.
Vilicom’s infrastructure has been developed in partnership with Mavenir using its Cloud RAN technology, aligned to the JOTS Neutral Host In-Building (NHIB) connectivity model.
Joint effort
The model was developed by the UK’s four mobile operators – EE (owned by BT), O2 (part of Telefonica Group), Three UK (CK Hutchison) and Vodafone.
The CaaS network platform streamlines operations, reducing the cost and space requirements of inbuilding 4G and 5G public and private mobile connectivity for the UK’s industries and businesses through its multi-tenancy capabilities.
Brendan O’Reilly, CTO, O2, commented, “Mobile connectivity is playing a vital role in rebuilding Britain and O-RAN technology presents an opportunity to provide better mobile coverage across the UK…O-RAN integrations such as this are an integral part of our commitment to deliver the best network experience for our customers, where they need it most.”